Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has made a rare appearance at his trial in Milan for paying for sex with an underage girl called Ruby.
He is accused of paying for sex with a 17-year-old, then abusing his powers by getting police to release her when she was arrested for stealing.
Mr Berlusconi, who resigned over the economic crisis, denies the charges.
His appearance at a hearing with prosecution witnesses is very unexpected, correspondents say.
The woman he allegedly paid, Moroccan nightclub dancer Karima El-Mahroug, known as Ruby Rubacuori ("heart-stealer"), also denies having sex with him.
In another development, Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli denied his government had received bribes from a fugitive linked to a sex and corruption case involving Mr Berlusconi.
Italian businessman Valter Lavitola, arrested in Naples this week upon his arrival from Argentina, is under investigation for having allegedly bribed Panamian officials and plotted to blackmail Mr Berlusconi.
Mr Lavitola, an unofficial former aide to Mr Berlusconi, allegedly paid bribes to Panamanian officials to close contracts worth millions of dollars, including a contract to buy helicopters, radar equipment and a digital map.
He also allegedly acted as a middleman in a plot to blackmail Mr Berlusconi over allegations that prostitutes were supplied to the former Italian prime minister in return for favours.
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